§ 5225 - Preliminary hearing - Vermont Statutes

§ 5225. Preliminary hearing

(a) A preliminary hearing shall be held at the time and date specified on the citation or as otherwise ordered by the court. If a child is taken into custody prior to the preliminary hearing, the preliminary hearing shall be at the time of the temporary care hearing.

(b) Counsel for the child shall be assigned prior to the preliminary hearing.

(c) At the preliminary hearing, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem for the child. The guardian ad litem may be the child's parent, guardian or custodian. On its own motion or motion by the child's attorney, the court may appoint a guardian ad litem other than a parent, guardian or custodian.

(d) At the preliminary hearing, a denial shall be entered to the allegations of the petition, unless the juvenile, after adequate consultation with the guardian ad litem and counsel, enters an admission.

(e) The court may order the child to abide by conditions of release pending a merits or disposition hearing. (Added 2007, No. 185 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 2009.)